To stay perfectly safe during a kitchen remodel, you should probably move into a different home. Unfortunately, most of us don't have that luxury. Safety issues during a remodel are plentiful and it's hard to recognize all the potential dangers. As hard as it might be, you will have to trust that the construction crew in your home is taking the necessary precautions to keep the work area and surrounding areas safe.
While you may trust yourself to stay out of harm's way, if you have young children or pets, you'll need to be vigilant about their safety. For example, there may be construction materials stored in the work area or in the garage. Items normally found in the kitchen (e.g., refrigerator or microwave) or tools may be placed in areas of the home that are not childproofed.
Making sure your children feel safe and comfortable with the various workers coming in your house, and the various work zones is also important. Therapist Erin Johnston says children should be introduced to everyone working on the project and have a good sense of work area boundaries.
If you have pets, you'll need to restrict their access to the construction area, especially during work hours. If it is difficult to keep work areas sealed off, or if your pets are easily frightened or upset by loud construction noises, consider finding a sitter or care-taking facility for them during work hours.
Whether you have a family the size of the Duggars or you are living on your own, it's a wise idea to inspect and clean the work zone and surrounding areas at the end of each day. Yes, the remodeling crew should pick up after themselves everyday, but small things like nails or loose wires could get overlooked during the cleanup process. We will have more information on keeping clean in our next blog post. Stay tuned.
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